Super Mover: Dr. Frits van Rhee

Dr. Frits van Rhee, multiple myeloma researcher at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, was recently installed in the Charles & Clydene Scharlau Chair for Hematological Malignancies Research.

Background: The Scharlaus, of Fayetteville, donated the $1 million that funded the chair to UAMS after Clydene Scharlau was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2010. "This wonderful gift … will have a lasting impact in our efforts to understand and treat blood-based cancers," said Dr. Dan Rahn, university chancellor. "Charles has long shown his commitment to making Arkansas a better place through his support and involvement."

Experience: Van Rhee is the director of Developmental & Translational Medicine in the Myeloma Institute, which he joined in 2001. He has developed new treatments using the body’s own immune system, including one that led to the first clinical trial using expanded natural killer cells to treat relapsed myeloma. He has worked on more than 20 clinical trials during his career.

Endowment: The endowment, which is the highest academic honor a university faculty member can receive, will enable van Rhee and the Myeloma Institute to continue research and development of new treatments and therapies for blood cancers. Dr. Bart Barlogie, the founder and director of the Myeloma Institute, said van Rhee was chosen for the honor because he "has been an integral force behind the tremendous strides we have made in changing the outcomes for our patients."